Section 66A made it punishable by a fine and imprisonment of up to three years if a person used a “computer resource or a communication device” to transmit a message that is “grossly offensive or has menacing character.” It also makes it an offence if a person transmits information known to be false to cause, among other things, hatred, enmity or ill will.

The law was used to target a variety of online comments, ranging from attacks on controversial politicians to remarks that were considered to be religiously offensive.

The federal government was not immediately available for comment on the court order. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet are known to be tech-savvy, and have used Twitter and other social media to promote themselves and the government’s programs.

“It would have been nice if Modi had on his own scrapped the law,” said Choudhary. “It was a great opportunity that he missed.”

The Supreme Court has, however, upheld the right of the government to block content on the Internet in certain cases.

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